Friday, December 29, 2017

Glimmering in the Sleep of Things


“Glimmering in the Sleep of Things”         Oil          2” x 3”        $25   © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase
            When I cannot think of a title for one of my paintings, I often read poetry for inspiration.  Each time I do this, I not only find an interesting painting title but I am also reminded of the tremendous skill exhibited by poets. I paint images with pigment but they also paint images, I think more skillfully than I at times, with their choice of just the right words. The title for this painting comes from the poem, “A Spell BeforeWinter” by Howard Nemerov.       
          Happy Winter and Happy New Year!



Thursday, December 21, 2017

All That Glitters is not Gold


“All That Glitters is not Gold”       Pastel        9” x 12”      $100      © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

It was Shakespeare who wrote “All That Glitters is not Gold” (The Merchant of Venice) cautioning us not to treat everything that glitters as if it was valuable. However, I think that the glittery, colorful, shiny ornaments that we hang on Christmas trees may be valuable in reminding us in these days of short days and long nights that the light and warmth will return.
Happy Holidays!

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Winter Workout


“Winter Workout”        Pastel        2.5 x 3.5       $20              © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

            This painting is based on a photo from a friend of mine (thanks Ken) of a local Atlanta park after our snowfall last week. Since we don’t see snow all that often in the south, we tend to go a little crazy when we do. The good part of the craziness is that so many workplaces close, that parents can actually have as much fun playing in the snow as  their kids can.
            Happy Weekend!


Thursday, December 7, 2017

Color and Contrast


“Color and Contrast”            Pastel             2.5” x 3.5”         $20       © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase
            It’s a gloomy, cold, and grey day so I’m feeling lucky that I’m an artist. While outside, the bright, warm, colors of fall are rapidly disappearing to be replaced by cool greys, inside, I can play with the wonderful contrast between the blues of the ocean and the warm colors of these coastal rocks in Bar Harbor. There’s also the cool greens of the trees contrasting with warmer greens and also those same warm rocks. Some days it really pays to be an artist!
            Happy Weekend!


Thursday, November 30, 2017

The End of a Long Day


“The End of a Long Day”             Pastel             2.5” x 3.5”         $20       © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

           Sometimes the title says it all.....   Happy Weekend! 

Friday, November 24, 2017

Thankful for Vegetarians


“Thankful for Vegetarians”        Oil         6” x 6”          $75           © Sharon Lewis 
Click Here to Purchase
            Every summer we see these turkeys traverse the backyard of this house we rent in Maine. Normally, they seem intent on looking for food and spend most of their time looking at the ground. However, one year, a group came through and they all jumped on this wooden fence and just gazed at the sea. Apparently, even turkeys can be moved by beauty.
By the way, I’m not trying to make any non-vegetarians out there feel guilty. I have to admit, I also had a few bites of turkey yesterday….and even some bacon for breakfast!
Hope you enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Weekend!

Thursday, November 16, 2017

When the Frost is on the Pumpkin


“When the Frost is on the Pumpkin”             Oil              6" x 6"         $75              © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

I borrowed this painting’s title from a poem by James Whitcomb Riley called, When the Frost is on the Punkin. If you can get past the dialect he writes in, he paints pictures with words of beautiful fall mornings. For example:
They’s something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here—
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin’-birds and buzzin’ of the bees;
But the air’s so appetizin’; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur’ that no painter has the colorin’ to mock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.
                  Happy Weekend!

Thursday, November 9, 2017

When Life Gives You Lemons


“When Life Gives You Lemons”          Pastel         4" x 4"                 $30              © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

When life gives you lemons, otherwise known as days of rain, I think of more pleasing arrangements of water, namely waves….and the peaceful, soothing sounds of the beach.
             Happy Almost Weekend!

Thursday, November 2, 2017

When Apples Party


“When Apples Party”         Pastel             6” x 6”              $40          © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

            I wanted to try a slightly different composition for this apple painting. When I finished, I couldn’t help thinking of those parties where too many people gather in one small room….maybe because that’s where the life of the party is holding court….or maybe it’s where you and everyone else has migrated to in order to escape the guy in the other room telling the terrible jokes…..or maybe it’s just a really good party and everyone showed up. Whatever the explanation, I think these apples are having a great time!
            Happy Almost Weekend!

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Imagining

“Imagining”                Pastel                  11” x 14”              $150           © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase 

Imagine that instead of hearing the sounds of angry people clashing with one another, you hear instead the call of gulls, the sound of waves ebbing and flowing, the wind singing through the trees. Imagine instead of seeing in the news descriptions of conflicts between people and nations you see instead, how the sun illuminates the rocks and the ocean revealing all the beautiful colors contained within.
           Happy Almost Weekend!
   

Thursday, October 19, 2017

The Pleasing Peony


“The Pleasing Peony”          Oil              6” x 6”           $75        © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

Some fun facts about peonies: The name apparently comes from Paeon, a student of the Greek god of medicine and healing, Asclepius. Zeus saved Paeon from Asclepius (who had become jealous) by turning the student into the peony flower. Long ago, the Chinese used certain varieties of the peony to flavor food and in the Middle Ages, Europeans grew them for medicine and drank an infusion of the petals. The peony petals also have been used in teas in China and the root has been used in traditional medicine by Korea, China, and Japan. Finally,  the peony is the state flower of Indiana.
I just think peonies look beautiful and smell heavenly.



Thursday, October 12, 2017

Autumn Heralds

“Autumn Heralds”           Pastel             8” x 10”       $75    © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase 

             We’ve been having swamp-like weather in the Atlanta area…very warm temperatures and air so humid it feels like you’re breathing soup. So, as I find myself longing for cooler, drier, if no less sunny, days, I’ve been looking for signs of fall. I’ve noticed that a few of the trees have started to change color, some have leaves already falling, and apples of all different colors and sizes are in the markets. These three apples proclaim to me that maybe, just maybe, fall is here.
            Hoping you’re enjoying the best of fall weather!

Friday, October 6, 2017

Mellow Fruitfulness

“Mellow Fruitfulness”        Pastel             8.5” x 11”       $90    © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase 

            I’ve borrowed my title from a poem by John Keats, called “To Autumn.” I painted these apples just hanging out together, basking in the warm sunlight with the bright colors of autumn  on their surface as well as in the background.  If you’re interested in reading the full poem by Keats, click here.
            Happy Weekend!

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Summer Bluffs


 “Summer Bluffs”        Pastel        12” x 9”      $100    © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

            We’ve had summer weather all week so maybe that explains why I’ve been drawn to painting a place that can be sunny but is often cool even in the summer. I love Maine in the summer!
            Here’s hoping that Maine sends us some cool temps this weekend!

Friday, September 22, 2017

Subtle Finale


“Subtle Finale”         Pastel          9” x 12.25”      $100    © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase
            The end of summer is here and in the Atlanta area we are looking at temperatures possibly in the 90’s, not exactly the cool, crisp days I look forward to every year. What I will miss about summer however is the less hurried pace of my life, more opportunities to paint interesting lands, and the long, wonderful days of light.
            Happy End of Summer!


Friday, September 15, 2017

Blue Skies Return


“Blue Skies Return”      Pastel        9.5” x 11.5”       $100    © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

            The blue skies have returned and the sun is slowly drying up the muddy, saturated ground. There are signs everywhere that strong tropical storm winds moved through here and left the trees with some drastic haircuts. Family members, friends, and neighbors are reaching out to check on one another. Those who lost little are reaching out to share with those who lost so much. It’s a good time to remember our shared humanity and to be grateful for kindness and generosity.
            Wishing you a Happy Weekend!

Friday, September 8, 2017

Return of Blue Skies


“Return of Blue Skies”              Pastel             5” x 7”       $50    © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase
            For all of my family and friends in the path of Hurricane Irma, my thoughts are with you and here’s hoping that blue skies return soon.


Thursday, August 31, 2017

Fading Light


“Fading Light”           Pastel             7.5” x 9.5”       $70    © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase


We had the ideal view for someone who loves to paint rocks and water as much as I do. As the sun approached the horizon, it bathed these huge rocks in a warm orange glow, especially the one closer to us. The sea gulls were gathering as if for a huge sunset party along this small stream.
            Happy Weekend!